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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 21, 2024)
Worden wraps up 4H career with a staggering 574 awards 50¢ VOL. 144 NO. 33 8 Pages Wednesday, August 21, 2024 Morrow County, Heppner, Oregon Heppner hosts another successful Morrow County Fair and Rodeo By Chris Sykes The Morrow Coun- ty Fair and Rodeo was a success this year, drawing visitors from all over Ore- gon, the United States, and even from across the globe. The small town of Heppner came alive with excitement and tradition as both famil- iar faces and new visitors joined together to celebrate the much-anticipated event. The festivities kicked off on Wednesday with Morrow County residents eagerly participating in the fair. The exhibition halls were filled with an impressive array of entries, including photographs, baked goods, Legos, flow- ers, drawings, and quilts, all vying for the coveted ribbons. It was a true show- case of the local talent and creativity that the commu- nity has to offer. The FFA and 4-H kids, who had been diligently caring for their pigs, chick- ens, rabbits, steers, and sheep for months, finally had their moment to shine. The dedication of these young participants was evident as many of them, along with their parents, rose as early as 4 a.m. each morning to prepare their animals for the showings. With great pride, they dis- played their animals, hop- ing to earn top honors. The animal auction at the end of the week was an emotional event for many, as some of the young participants shed tears while saying goodbye to the animals they had nur- tured for so long. Thursday night brought MOCO All Around Co-Winners, Coy Patterson and Shayla Currin. Award knives sponsored by Les Schwab Tire Center, Presented by OTPR President Tanner Britt. a different kind of celebra- tion as Murray’s Beer and Wine Tasting event took center stage. The evening was filled with laughter, live music, and, of course, a fantastic selection of bev- erages that kept the crowd in high spirits. The event featured live performances by Caitlyn Ochsner and Joe Lindsay’s band Mu- sically Unstable adding a lively and entertaining atmosphere to the night. As the weekend ar- rived, the Oregon Trail Pro Rodeo became the highlight of the fair. On Friday night, the stands were packed as spectators enjoyed the action under the warm sum- mer sky. The rodeo events featured crowd favorites such as steer wrestling, bucking broncs, bull riding, and barrel racing, showcas- ing the impressive skills and bravery of the cowboys and cowgirls. Saturday brought a surprise wind- storm, causing some fans to briefly seek shelter, but the storm quickly passed, and the resilient crowd re- turned to watch the rest of the rodeo unfold. No fair would be com- plete without its mouth-wa- tering food vendors, and this year was no exception. The enticing aromas of elephant ears, hamburgers, fried Oreos, kettle corn, and corndogs filled the air, drawing visitors from all corners of the fairgrounds. Whether it was a quick snack or a full meal, there was something to satisfy every craving, adding to the festive atmosphere. The Spur ’em Barn, known for its cold adult beverages and lively atmo- sphere, was a popular spot throughout the weekend. The atmosphere was cheer- ful, and everyone seemed to be having a fantastic time, enjoying the camaraderie that the rodeo weekend always brings. S u n d a y ’s M o r r o w County Rodeo was blessed with perfect weather, as sunny skies and tempera- tures in the 80s set the stage for a thrilling display of local rodeo talent. Kids were especially excited to participate in traditional events like mutton busting, breakaway roping, barrel racing, and the always-ex- citing cowhide race, show- casing their budding rodeo skills to the cheers of proud families and friends. A heartfelt thank you goes out to all the volun- teers who worked tirelessly to put on this incredible event. Their dedication, from organizing the vari- ous activities to ensuring the smooth running of the fairgrounds and cleaning up afterward, did not go unno- ticed. The Morrow County Fair and Rodeo once again proved to be an unforgetta- ble event, bringing together the community and visitors alike for a week of tradition, fun, and shared memories. As the dust settles and the fairgrounds return to their quiet state, the town of Heppner is already looking forward to next year’s fes- tivities. Greater Idaho Movement has grown to 13 counties By Andrea Di Salvo Crook County is the latest to join the Greater Idaho movement, which continues to carry momen- tum in eastern and central Oregon. That was the message Mike McCarter of La Pine, OR gave the Morrow Coun- ty Board of Commissioners during its regular meeting Aug. 7 in Heppner. McCar- ter is president of Move Or- egon’s Borders and Citizens for Greater Idaho. The Greater Idaho movement began putting votes to counties in 2020 and seeks to move the Ore- gon/Idaho border westward so that the traditionally conservative eastern coun- ties would join the state of Idaho, which the movement says better matches eastern Oregonian values. According to its web- site, the group believes that moving the border would create a win-win situation for both Oregon and Idaho by better matching voters to state governance, and would lower political ten- sion across the state. State lines can be moved through a process called an interstate com- pact. The change would require the approval of both states’ legislatures, as well as the U.S. Congress. In 2023, the Idaho House passed a memorial resolution inviting the State of Oregon to begin border talks. McCarter spoke to the BOC about the Greater Idaho movement as part of an ongoing discussion of the issue. In the November 2022 election, 60 percent of Morrow County’s voters mandated that the board of commissioners discuss the potential move three times per year. This is the second of three discussions for 2024. In May of this year, Mc- Carter said, Crook County passed a similar measure, though by a smaller margin of 53 percent. McCarter said there was a lot of op- position from the Portland area regarding the Crook County measure. He also said that the unusual thing about the Crook County measure was that it was brought forward by the people rather than a measure provided by the Greater Idaho leadership, as was the case with most counties. “It was not our measure that put it on the ballot,” he said. “The people went to the county commissioners and put it on there because they wanted to have the opportunity to vote.” Crook County com- missioners also became the latest to formally request action from the Oregon leg- islature concerning moving the Oregon border. Crook is now the eighth county in Eastern Oregon to send such a letter. The passage in Crook County makes 13 eastern or central Oregon counties that have voted to discuss seceding from Oregon to join Idaho—or, in some cases, moved beyond dis- cussion to actual votes for secession. Two counties so far have voted to secede, while the other 11, includ- ing Morrow County, have simply voted to discuss the issue. Wheeler County is one that voted to secede. “There seems to be a lot of unrest about the way the Oregon legislature and leadership is treating East- ern Oregon, and people are starting to speak up about it,” McCarter said. McCarter said Move Oregon’s Border is cur- rently traveling throughout Eastern Oregon to provide updates on what’s happen- ing with the movement. He said a Morrow County meeting should be upcom- ing. “If we’ve got 13 coun- ties now in Eastern Oregon where a measure has passed to begin negotiations or discussion or get the talk going, you would think that our state representatives would pick that up and start talking about it in Salem,” McCarter said. “Why is this problem going on? What’s creating it?” “But to date, it’s just been stonewalled,” he add- ed. “They don’t want to talk about it.” McCarter, though, said the grassroots movement will continue. His request for the county commis- sioners was to “pass the message up the line” when they met with other county commissioners or legisla- tors. “It doesn’t have to be about moving the border. Start talking about the is- sues that are giving us the problems here, where Ore- gon’s leadership are driving hard on what they think are the problems in Western Oregon, that have a nega- tive effect on us in Eastern Oregon. “We want to get some discussions going in the state legislature about the way they’re treating East- ern Oregon, and they’re more or less ignoring us.” Arianna Worden finished off her 9 year 4H career with 286 ribbons,1 medal and 1 buckle! She had 6 state fair champi- ons, 1 state fair medal, 63 county fair champions, 27 reserve county fair champions, 152 blue ribbons, 26 red, 3 white, and 8 cloverbuds! - Photo by Kelsey Worden MOCO special fair awards Clothing and Textiles Judge’s award Adult - Nancy Arnson Judge’s award Youth - Anna Jepsen Needlework Judge’s award Adult – Gayle Gutierrez Judge’s award Youth – Richard McNamee Quilts Grand Champion - Cheryl Hobbs – Sponsored by Mama Bears Quilt Shop Judge’s Choice - Pa- tricia Hughes. Floriculture. Judge’s Award – Jannie Allen Timeless Beauty - An- drea Nelson – sponsored by MCGG Just Imagine – Jan- nie Allen – Sponsored by Country Rose/Murry Drug Superintendent’s award – sponsored by Wheatland Insurance – Jannie Allen Creative Kids S u p e r i n t e n d e n t ’s Choice – Kinasyn Rietman of Ione sponsored by Mill- er wheat. Judge’s award – Mika- lie Duncan, Anna Jepsen and Ryder Worden Arts Judge’s choice – Hanna Brannon Crafts Judge’s Choice - Birt Keziah Canning Judge’s Choice – Jan- nie Allen S u p e r i n t e n d e n t ’s Choice – James McNamee Outstanding Exibitor – Jannie Allen Pickle Award – Myrene Birt, sponsored by Molly Rill Family Vegetable Salsa – Julie Sak – sponsored by the Elguezabal Family -Continued to PAGE THREE Recreational use advisory issued for Willow Creek Reservoir PORTLAND, Ore.— Oregon Health Authority (OHA) issued a recreational use health advisory today for Willow Creek Reservoir due to the presence of a cy- anobacteria bloom and cya- notoxins above recreational use values for human and animal exposure. The res- ervoir is in Morrow County. People should avoid swim- ming and high-speed water activities, such as water skiing or power boating, in areas of the reservoir where blooms are present, as the major route of exposure is ingestion of water. Toxins are not absorbed through the skin. However, those with skin sensitivities may get a puffy red rash. OHA encourages peo- ple to visit Willow Creek Reservoir and enjoy ac- tivities such as fishing, camping, hiking, biking, picnicking, bird watching, canoeing and kayaking. Boating is safe as long as speeds do not create exces- sive water spray. Sprays could lead to the risk of inhaling cyanotoxins. Drinking water Drinking water directly from areas of the reservoir affected by a bloom is es- pecially dangerous. Tox- ins cannot be removed by boiling, filtering or treating water with camping-style -Continued to PAGE THREE CALL 541-989-8221 ext 204 for more information
